What is Ghosting?
To me, ghosting is any behavior we use to avoid someone or something when we feel that our efforts are being taken for granted or that we are not valued.
I was once in a relationship with a woman a few years ago, and I did everything I could to make her happy. I went so far as to engage in various activities, both legal and illegal, just to contribute to her well-being. She was financially stable, as she was involved in buying and selling, but I dedicated everything to being there for her and showing her how much I cared. Although we faced challenges, we managed to prevail.
Just like the beginning of every relationship, it was very sweet, and we had many wonderful times together. I thought it would always be that way. I can still remember how we used to play, and it makes me sad that it has all become just a memory now.
One fateful day, I encountered an issue, and I noticed she seemed less concerned about it. I tried to communicate the seriousness of the situation, but her response felt superficial. As someone in love, I justified her behavior. Eventually, through her silent actions, I gained clarity, and the distance between us grew.
I knew how deeply I loved her and didn’t want to lose her, which left me torn between letting go and moving on. I couldn’t bring myself to let her go because I believed she needed me as much as I needed her. At the same time, I couldn’t move on because I constantly thought about her well-being. This led me to ghost her, which was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. It involved gradually fading from her life and removing every reminder of her.
Over the years, I’ve questioned whether I made the right choice because sometimes I do miss her presence and wonder if she is really happy wherever she is. As fate would have it, we eventually ran into each other one day. Her shocked exclamation was “Jesus!” as she recognized me. She attempted to start a conversation and catch up, but I kept it cool and casual. When she realized she still had my phone number, which I had never changed, she reached out to me on social media. However, I continued to ghost her, and I have never regretted that decision, as it provided me with a clearer perspective.
In conclusion, ghosting someone is often easier than letting go. Ghosting is a gradual process of fading away, while letting go involves a more abrupt disappearance. It hurts, but one's mental well-being is preserved.
This is my entry to week 184, edition 01 of the weekly featured contest for reading, and the topic to be discussed is GHOSTING.
Image is from my device